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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Susan M. Duty, ScD¹, Elizabeth Scott, PhD², Vivian Rabe, MT(ASCP), RN¹, Martha Guimond, RN¹, Kathleen Simpson, RN¹, Maureen Callahan², Julia Clarke², Julie Delprato², and Kristen Bourque, RN¹. (1) Department of Nursing, Simmons College, 300 The Fenway, Science 314, Boston, MA 02115, 617-521-2096, susan.duty@simmons.edu, (2) Biology Department, Simmons College, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115

A pilot study was conducted to identify and quantify indicator and pathogenic target bacteria in 5 homes with a young child in diapers and a pet. Thirty two surfaces were sampled in each home, including 24 sites in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as hand contact surfaces on the home computer, phone, diapering surface etc. Two of the five homes had adults working in healthcare and three had children in daycare. Results show the highest number of bacteria were isolated from moist surfaces such as sinks, sponges, drains, and tub. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated at hand contact surfaces including kitchen faucet handle, toilet seat, TV remote, toy, microwave touchpad, sponge, dishtowel, counter tops and other surfaces. MRSA, identified on chromogenic media, was found at the sink, dishtowel, counter top, and kitchen floor. Hemolytic streptococci and enterococci were isolated from hand contact surfaces. Gram negative organisms such as species of Pseudomonas such as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Enterobacteria such as Enterobacter cloacae, and Serratia liquefaciens, Klebsiella spp and Proteus were most often isolated from both wet and dry contact surfaces in the kitchen. As a result of the pilot, an appropriate questionnaire tool was developed and a sampling and laboratory methodology model was tested. Following the pilot, a full study of a further thirty homes will be undertaken to determine if the distribution of bacteria differs in homes with or without healthcare workers and if daycare attendance influences the type of bacteria found in the home.

HSPH-NIOSH Education and Research Center funded

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the home surfaces most often contaminated by staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic streptococci, Pseudomonas and Enterobacteria species.
• Describe laboratory methods developed to screen homes for indicator and pathogenic target bacteria 3)Determine if resistant strains of staphylococcus aureus are present in the home environment of healthcare workers
• Determine whether homes that have a child in daycare influences the type of bacteria found in the home

Keywords: Children, Environmental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered